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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SUPREMACY. 



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PROPERTY OF 



Franklin File and Edward P. Call. 



SUPREMACY. 



^i' ^vama^ 



I N FO U R ACTS 



BY 



FRANKLIN FILE axd EDWAKD P. CALL. 



Copyright, 1881, 
By Fraxklix File a>'d Edward P. Call. 






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i. 



BOSTON: '"-i— _^ 

>nLLS, KNIGHT & CO., PRES'TEKS, 11.5 CONGRESS STREET. 

1881. 



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CHABACTEES, 

Heeb Bre>"xzr. 

Rudolph Beexner. [His son.] 

BA.RON ROTHBAET. 

Haeold. [His son.] 

Ceista Bbexxer. [Baroness Bothbart, his daughter.] 

3Iax Reimeb. [Master miner at the Brenner coal mines.] 

Meter Kellxeb. 

Mix A. 

Gael. \ 

Paue, > [Miners.] 

Ceaftmax. ) 

Old Reimee. [Max' s father.] 

AxTOX and Feaxz. [Servants at Brenner mansion.] 

Here Klassex. [Director at ynines.] 

Hebe Weber. [Engineer at mines.] 

Scexe. — The interior of Germany. 

Tlme. — The present. 



SUPREMACY. 



ACT I. 



Scene. — The exterior of the Brenner mansion at the 
Brenner mines. The smi has just set, and during 
the first half of the act it darkens to night, and the 
moon rises thereafter. The portion of the house 
which is seen shows that it is old fashioned and 
elegant. House is set across the corner, l. u. — hills 
in distance. The stage is lighted a soft green, and 
at no time during the act are the lights more than 
onefourth up. 

Curtain rises, disclosing Kellxer, the Director, 
and from a dozen to tiventy miners, dressed in an 
appropriate way for the reception of the bridal couple. 
Also five or six women, among them being MixA. The 
men and women have branches and ivreaths in their 
hands, but their expressions do not denote much interest 
in the festivities. Kellxer and Director at back. 



Craftman. I tell you it is so ; and before this newly - 
married couple, now on their way from the city, have 
seen the end of their sweet honeymoon, all that I have 
said, if not more, will prove true. 

Paul. Well, be it so or not, you should not think 
aloud on this occasion. 

Craft. \_Sneeringly.'] This occasion — bah! Just 
because we must come and seem kind toward Herr 
Brenner and his useless son, does it follow that I must 
choke and smother my own feelings ? You're chicken- 
hearted, Paul, from head to foot. 

Faul. Wait until the revolt you predict breaks out, 
and then see how chicken-hearted I am. [_Goes up. 



4 SUPREMACY. 

Director. How now, Craftman, what's in the wind 
with 3'ou ? 

Craft. Nothing, Herr Director, nothing, nothing. 

Director. \_Quietly eyeing him.'] Ah, "nothing"! 
which, heing translated, means " a great deal." 

\_Craft7nan goes up. 

Kellner. \_Coming forward with Mina.'] By my 
troth. Director [looking at watch], the party is overdue 
some forty minutes, and Mina here says the train 
arrived at Valley Station promptly. 

Mina. Yes, Herr Director, for the arrival of the 
train was to have heen the signal for Max to march 
with his men, and I have seen them start. 

Director. Can you not see the carriage-way from 
the porch ? Look, Herr Kellner ! 

Kellner. Come up, Mina ! 

[They go to porch of house. They look off. 

Director. Well, do you see the carriages ? 

Mina. Yes, there are two together ; it is time to 
make ready. [Starts to come down. 

Kellner. Stop, wait, look ! The third carriage is 
ahead, and not behind. [Spirited. 

Mi7ia. Yes, yes, and see how rapidly it drives ? 

Director. [Now looking.] Great Heavens, the horses 
are past control ; the}'- are tearing madl}^ ! 

Kellner. [Breathlessly.] A rod from their course 
will pitch the carriage into the valley ! 

Director. 'Tis Herr Eudolph's ! 

Mina. Look, look, there's Max! What — no — he 
dare not ! Yes, he dashes toward the road. 

Kellner. And now see, he's going to seize the horses ! 

Director. He springs like a tiger ! 

Mina. Yes, he has their bridles ! 

Kellner. M}^ soul, just see them drag him ! 

Mina. But he keeps his hold ! 

Director. Alas ! some one is thrown from the carriage. 

Kellner. Yes — Herr Rudolph — 

Mina. Oh ! but now they yield as they approach 
the gateway. Yes, they are still. Max raises himself 
and assists her ladyship. The others join them. May 
we go, Herr Klassen, and try to help them ? 



SUPREMACY. 

Director. By all means — those who will. \_Exeunt 
all but Paul and Craftman, the former being beck- 
oned by the latter. 

Paul. What is it, Craftman? What have you to 
say to Max's being the savior of the "useless son'' and 
his bride ? 

Craftman. That when he finds 'twas they were in 
the carriage, he will curse himself for saving them. 

Paul. That's a terrible thing to sa}^, but we certainly 
are speaking of a terrible man. 

Craft. And one whose power will be felt in some 
frightful way if things go on as they are. 

Paul. You're in sympathy with him ? 

Craft. What do you mean ? 

Paul. Do you think, with Max, that the line drawn 
between high and low, in social standing, is a curse, and 
like him feel that intense hatred of the well-born ? 

Craft. Am not / as good as Max ? Is not he as 
good as Herr Brenner ? Aye, even better, for you can 
surely see that in our sphere there is more heart, more 
soul, more feeling. Do you deny it ? 

Paul. 'Tis a lengthy subject, Craftman, and one 
which some of us had best not think of — but see, the 
party is already here. \_Exeiint to jom crowd. 

Enter Crista, Eudolph, the Baron, and Old Bren- 
ner; also the Miners. All but Kudolph display 
excitement. 

Old B. I regret, my dear Baron, that your first visit 
to my estate, otherwise so happy, should be marred by 
what came near being a sad accident. 

Baron. No more of the accident, Herr Brenner, 
please ; your son is safe, therefore you should be thank- 
ful. 

Old B. Yes, Baron, and I am indeed thankful for 
his escape, as well as for our dear Crista's. 

Baron. \_Aside.'] My daughter is not yet so com- 
pletely a member of his family, that he should speak of 
her so familiarly. [ Crista lookiny off at Max. 

Old B. If you will excuse me, Baron, I will precede 
you into the house. [ Goes in. 



b SUPREMACY. 

Crista. Did you observe, father, the wonderful 
physique of that man who stopped the carriage ? I 
tremble still to think of the danger he passed through 
to save our lives. 

Baron. You can scarcely tremble more, my child, 
than I do at the thought of what you have just escaped. 
But when I consider the life you are about to take upon 
yourself, I can but shudder for you and your future. 

Crista. Take courage, father. 

Baron. That's what I should say to you, my daugh- 
ter — not you to me. 

Crista. I shall be content. 

Baron. Heaven grant that you may, for the sacrifice 
you have made merits far more than contentment. May 
God give you happiness, my child, if it be possible. 

Rudolph. \_Advancing.~\ Will you go in, Crista? 
\_She takes his arm.'] Baron. \_Motioning to Baron who 
precedes them. They go in. 

\^The miners cheer Rudolph and Crista as they pass 
in. Rudolph tiirns, and listlessly acknowledges 
the demonstration.] 

Craft. Your cheers should be for Max, Max ! — he 
is the real hero of the hour. Where is he ? 

\^Cries of ''Max;' ''Max''! 

Enter Max. His head is cut. He has Crista's hand- 
kerchief. Enter Mina, following him. 

Max. Cease calling my name so loud. Would you 
disturb the noble wedding party with your racket ? 

Paul. A cheer for Max ! [ One loud cheer is given. 

Max. Less noise, I say, to all of you I See that you 
remember the tawdry event you are here to celebrate. 

Mina. Be not so severe, Max. It's all of good 
intent. 

Max. They torment me. 

Mina. Do not say so. 

Max. They do, I say. They are all thoughtless and 
inconsistent. They come gladly to assist at this show 
of aristocracy, and the moment I appear before them 
there is a shout. They do not know themselves and 
their own interests. 



SUPREMACY. 7 

Mina. Why, Max, you well know that there are 
many among the men who, filled with the too dangerous 
advice you have given them, would have gone so far as 
to turn their backs upon this important event. 

Max. \_Sneeringly.'] Important event ! 

Mina. To the house of Brenner — yes. 

Max. Well, let me tell you, child, the time is at 
hand when the paltry affairs that lie so near the heart 
of our present chief will be of little consequence to 
those who share the views of Max Reimer. 

Mina. Alas ! I know too well and fear what you 
mean — but, see, the bridal party is returning to the 
lawn, and you have my lady's handkerchief. Give it 
me, and I will return it. 

Max. I will not. 

Enter Crista, Eudolph, Bakon, and Brenner. 

Mina. What ! — it is my la — 

Max. I say, I will not. 

Mina. What — why — Ma — 

[^Retreats as Crista advances. 

Crista. \_Advancing.~\ I trust you can and do appre- 
ciate it, when I say I am truly grateful — more than 
grateful for the invaluable service you have rendered 
Herr Rudolph and me. 

Max. I hope that I do, my lady. \_Bows slightly. 

Crista. Can nothing be done to make your wound 
more comfortable ? 

Max. Give yourself no uneasiness, my lady. I have 
only received a scratch, and your words more than repay 
me for the service. 

Crista. Your action was heroic. You will find that my 
father and — my — husband are as thankful to you as I. 

Max. \_Aside.~\ Curse her husband. 

Rudolph. \_Listlessly and coldly.'] My father's ser- 
vants are ready to attend you, Reimer, if the hurt you 
received is troublesome. 

Max. [^ little gruffly.'] I do not need them, Herr 
E-udolph. 

Rudolph. I assure you, you have done us great ser- 
vice. I shall gladly make a substantial return for it. 



8 SUPEEMACY. 

Max. I do not understand you, sir. 

RiidoVph. You do not understand ? You have saved 
our lives. Is not that worth something? I will quickly 
and with pleasure pa}' you handsomely. 

Max. \_AngrUy.'] Pay me ! 

Rudolph. Why certainly, Reimer. Do I put it too 
plainly to you ? 

Max. No more plainl}^ than I shall give you an 
answer, sir. 

Rudolph. I must now beg you to explain. 

Max. What shall I explain, Herr Brenner ? I shall 
never accept any " substantial return '' from you. 

Rudolph. You will not accept ? 

Max. No, sir ; no power can make me ! 

Rudolph. Do you mean to insult me ? 

Max. If so you must interpret my refusal. \_Turns 
to exit, sourly. Loolcs steadily at Crista, as exits. 
Beckons the workmen. Exeunt. 

Old B. Rudolph, you select the wrong time for such 
an interview. 

Rudolph. Your workman, sir, has insulted me — and 
in thus beckoning your employes away, he has insulted 
you also. I presume you will take prompt action in the 
matter. \^Goes up. 

Old B. My poor, ignorant son. He little knows 
how impossible it is for me to do anything in the affair; 
for to implicate myself with this Reimer would — 

Enter Franz. He stands by porch. 

Baron. [Advancing.'] I regret, Herr Brenner, that 
the time for my departure has arrived. 

Old B. Indeed, Baron ! and must you go so very 
soon ? Can you not remain ? 

Baron. I should be glad to stay for Crista's sake ; 
but, thank you, it is quite impossible. 

Old B. I very much regret it, my dear Baron. I will 
prepare at once to accompany you to the station. 

[Goes up), sends Franz for coats, etc. 

Crista. [Advancing.'] I can hardly bear to have you 
go, father. 

Baron. My dear child ! 



SUPREMACY. 9 

Old B. \_Af back.~\ And have him drive np at once, 
Franz. 

Crista. Do beg Harold to come ? 

Baron. He will, I'm sure. And now, I must say, 
farewell, and " take courage " — would that I might be 
the all-in-all to you, my daughter, which you so nobly 
make yourself to me. 

Crista. You are — father — you are. 

Baron. Good-bye, my Crista. \K.isses her tenderly. 

Crista. Good-bye — good-b^^e — father — 

Baron. \_Quietly to her.'] God bless you, my child. 
\^She sinks into a seat, and gazes after the Baron. 
The Baron bids Bndolph a formal adieu. 

Old B. Do not go in Rudolph — I will join you both 
here on my return. \_Exeunt Old B. and Baron. 

Fkanz enters from having seen the gentlemen to the car- 
riage. He pauses. Rudolph motio7is hi7n into the 
house. 

Rudolph. [^Seating himself loith a bored air beside 
Crista.] Do you not find this eternal parade and cere- 
mony very trying, Crista? To me it is intolerable. 
Since yesterday noon, we have not been allowed a 
moment's peace. First the marriage, then the dinner, 
then that tiresome journey, the tragic interlude, followed 
by this tedious demonstration just over. Papa, in 
sketching the programme for us, seems entirely to have 
forgotten that we possessed any such things as nerves ; 
mine I confess are all unstrung, [Sighs. 

Crista. [^Distant arid reserved, but polite.] You 
might, at least, have offered your reward to the man in 
some more delicate manner. 

Budoljjh. What would you have me do — tender it 
to him beseechingly on a salver ? I regret that I should 
have had the misfortune to offend you in the matter. 
Let me have the consolation of jout forgiveness 
[^Takes her hand, and languidly attempts to put his 
arm around her, when she suddenly recoils indignantly.] 
Crista! What — do I again offend you? Is this dis- 
agreeable ? 



10 SUPREMACY. 

Crista. Unusual, at least. You have hitherto spared 
me all this. 

Rudolph. " Hitherto '' — yes, etiquette was somewhat 
strictly enforced in your father's house. During our 
two months' engagement, I never once had the happiness 
of seeing you alone : the constant presence of your 
father or brothers placed a constraint uj^on us, which at 
the present undisturbed interview may well be removed. 

Crista. Let me declare to you now that we are alone, 
that I have no liking for expressions of fondness given, 
because custom demands them, and in which the heart 
has no share. I, for all time, release you from this 
obligation. 

Rudolph. You seem in a strange mood today. 
^' Custom — heart ! " E-eally, Crista, I believed that 
with you, least of all, one need have fear of romantic 
illusions. 

Crista. I renounced all my youthful illusions the 
moment I promised you my hand. You and your father 
— you would, at any cost, connect your name with the 
noble one of Kothbart, and thereby force an entrance 
into circles hitherto strictly closed to you. And, now, 
you have won your goal. My name is Crista Brenner! 

Rudolph. You do not appear to like this name ? I 
had not supposed that compulsion, on the part of your 
family, led you to take it ; but now it appears — 

Crista. No one compelled me. No one used over- 
persuasion. What I have done has been of my own 
free will, and with a full consciousness of what I was 
taking upon myself. It was bitter enough for my fam- 
ily to have me make this sacrifice for them. 

Rudolph. I do not understand why you take a simple 
family arrangement so seriously. If my father in this 
matter had ulterior plans in view, the Baron's motives 
were certainly of a no more romantic nature — only he 
might, presumably, have more pressing reasons for the 
conclusion of an engagement, in which he certainly was 
not the losing party. 

Crista. \_Starting up.^ And you dare say this to 
me, after what happened before your wooing ? I believe 



SUPREMACY. 11 

that you must blush at this, if you really are capable of 
blushing. 

Rudolph. I must beg you to speak more plainly — I 
cannot understand your enigmatical words. 

Crista. [^Excitedly.'] You know, as well as I, that 
my family stood upon the brink of ruin ! As to whom 
we owed our misfortune, I cannot and must not judge. 
It is easy to fling stones at the man who is struggling 
with destiny. If one inherits his family estates encum- 
bered, if he must uphold the lustre of an ancient name, 
maintain his position in the world, and secure the future 
of his children, he cannot heap up wealth like the 
Brenners, in their plebeian gains. You have squandered 
money from full hands ; you have had every wish ful- 
filled, every caprice gratified. I have tasted the whole 
misery of a life which feigns and must feign outward 
splendor to the world, while every day, every hour, 
brings it nearer to inevitable ruin. Perhaps we might 
still have escaped, if we had not fallen into your father^ s 
net. He, from the first, pressed his assistance upon us 
— urged it so persistently that at last he had all in his 
hands, and we — hunted, entangled, despairing — knew 
no way of escape. Then he came, and demanded my 
hand for his son, as the only price of rescue. My father 
would rather have borne the utmost, than consent ; but 
I would not see him sacrificed — forced from his career. 
I would not destroy the future of my brothers, and see 
our name dishonored; and — I gave my consent. What 
it cost me, no one of my family will ever know; but if 
I sold myself, I can answer for it to Heaven and my 
own conscience. You, who submitted to be a tool in 
carrying out the ignoble plan of your father — you have 
no right to reproach me : my motives were, at least, more 
honorable than yours. 

Rudolph. [^Slowly.'] I regret that you did not make 
these explanations before our marriage. 

Crista. Wherefore ? 

Rudolph. Because you would then have been saved 
the humiliation of being called Crista Brenner. \_Pauses.'] 
I had indeed no suspicion of these manipulations of my 
father, as I am accustomed to keep myself entirely aloof 



12 SUPREMACY. 

from his business affairs. He informed me one day, that 
if I would go to Baron Kothbart, and sue for his daugh- 
ter's hand, my proposal would be accepted. I consented 
to the arrangement, and went through with the formality- 
of an introduction, followed shortly by a betrothal. That 
is my share in the matter. 

Crista. \_Coldli/.'] I would have preferred an open 
confession of your joint knowledge of the transaction to 
this fable. 

Rudolph. So I stand so high in the estimation of my 
wife, that she cannot even believe my word. \_Bltterly. 

Crista. You must forgive me, if I place no great 
confidence in you. From that day when you first 
entered our house — for a purpose of which I am only 
too well aware — I have only known you from the 
speech of the city, which — 

Rudolph. Painted my picture in no fiattering way I 
I can imagine that. Will 3'ou have the goodness to tell 
me what the city was pleased to say about me ? 

Crista. They said that E-udolph Brenner indulged in 
a princely extravagance, squandered thousands upon 
thousands to purchase the society and friendship of the 
young nobility, and thereby make the world forget his 
plebeian birth. They said that in the^ "wild, unbridled 
life of a certain circle, his life was wildest and most 
unbridled of all. What else they said about him does 
not lie within the range of a woman's criticism. 

Rudolph. And you naturally do not deem it worth 
your while to attempt the reformation of a reprobate, 
over whom public opinion has already- broken its staff ? 

Crista. jSTo. [j^e looks at her face. 

Rudolph You are more than open-hearted ! Yet it 
is always a good thing to know how people stand in 
relation to each other — and as we now stand, so we 
must remain The step we have taken cannot be re- 
called — at least not immediately — without exposing us 
both to ridicule. If 3^ou provoked this scene to show 
me that I, in spite of the plebeian presumption which 
won your hand by force, must keep myself, as far as 
possible, aloof from the Baroness Kothbart — and I fear 
this alone was your intention — you have won your 



SUPKEMACY. 13 

goal ; but, I beg you, to let this be the first and last of 
that sort of 

Enter Old B. He pauses at hack. 

thing between us. I detest all kinds of scenes ; my 
nerves cannot endure them, and life may be regulated, 
so as to avoid these unnecessary ecliauffevienfs. For 
the present, I believe I best carry out your wishes by 
leaving you. You will excuse me if I withdraw. \_Goes 

up ; sees Old B ; stoj^s ; they look at each other. 

Crista buries her face. 

Tableau. 

Curtain. 



ACT II. 

TWO WEEKS LATER. 

Scene. — At the mouth of the rnain shaft of the Bren- 
ner mines. Entrance, c. u., 'inhere machinery for 
going down is visible. Above the entrance to tJte 
shaft, a hill rises abruptly toward L. it. r. of hill is 
long landscape. The scene is of sombre colors, and 
the effect is quite dark, although the lights are a 
trifle higher than in Act I. The ground is rough, 
with large rocks, etc., etc. 

MiNA discovered, seated r. c. She has in her hand 
a wreath of leaves, which she has been marking. She 
is singing quietly, as the curtain rises sloivly. 

Mina. \_Stopping in her song.'] Heaven only knows 
how it will all end ! Poor, poor Max ! — and yet he is 
not to be pitied so much, save for the reason that he 
seems to be at war with himself. Would that my heart 
were wrong in telling me of the foolish and terrible 
passion which I am sure lurks within him. It may 
have been sent to prevent him from madly urging on 



14 SUPREMACY. 

his followers against the house of Brenner. Max ! Max ! 
if my life could pay for making you more of a true 
Christian, how gladly would I give it up. [^Thought- 
fully.'] Can it really be, that he loves — 

Enter Max, l. u. 

Max, Mina. 

Mina. Max ! You have not stopped work ? 

Max. Preparations are being made for the owner to 
inspect the elevator. He will come shortly with the 
director and engineer. I am glad you were here, Mina. 

Mina. You are glad ! And why. Max ? 

Max. I have something of importance to say to jo\x. 
Will you listen now ? 

Mina. I am always at your service. Max. 

Max. I want to ask you — well I cannot make many 
words, and between us it is unnecessary. We are the 
children of brother and sister ; we have for years lived 
together in the same house. You best know what you 
have to expect from me ; and you know that I have 
always liked you, in spite of the quarrels we have had. 
Mina, will you be my wife ? \_Mina is embarrassed. 
She turns away, and shakes her head slowly. 

Mina. [In suppressed tone.] No. [Sobs. 

Max. You will not ? 

Mina. No, Max, I will not. [Sobbing. 

Max. Well, then, I might have avoided this long 
speech. My father assured me that Mina loved me, 
and indeed I thought you did. Do not be offended at 
me. I might have realized that I am too wild, too 
rough, for you. You are afraid of me. You think that 
after marriage it might be worse. Well — well. In 
Carl you will find a better man, who will do in all things 
as you wish. 

Mina. [Shakes her head — turns toward hlrn.'] I 
do not fear you, even if 3"0u are rough and violent. I 
know it is your nature. I would have taken 3^ou, just 
as you were — indeed gladly — but I will not accept you 
as you are — as you have been since the day her lady- 
ship came. [Max is embarrassed.] Uncle thinks that 
you care for no one — that you have other thoughts in 



SUPREMACY. 15 

your head. Ah, yes ! Quite other thoughts. You 
have never cared for me, and now you come all at once 
and ask me to be your wife. You need some one who 
will drive away those thoughts ; do you not, Max ? And 
for this, the first one at hand will do ; for this, I am 
good enough. But I am not deceived. If I loved you 
more than all the world, if it cost me my life to let you 
go — rather Carl, rather any other now, than you ! 

\_Passionately ; sobs. A pause. 
Max. Never mind, Mina, never mind. I thought 
things would be better if you helped me ; perhaps, 
though, the}'' would have been worse, and you are quite 
right to venture nothing for my sake. Let all remain 
as it was with us. \_Mina is distressed at this. Exit 
Mina, R. u., sobbing. He breathes a heavy sigh.~\ How 
well she knows you. Max Reimer ! 

[ Goes up, R. ; looks off. 

Enter Old Reimer, l. 

Old R. Well, Max, are you ready for the inspection 
— Heaven grant that it may bring us good fortune. 

Max. The men will be here shortly. Father, I have 
seen Mina. 

Old It. You have talked with her ? 

Max. Yes. 

Old R. \_Eagerly.'] Well — \_Seeing Max^s face.'] 
W-e-1-1 ? 

Max. It was of no use. She would not have me. 

Old R. Would not have you ? Not you ? 

Max. No. And now do not torment us with ques- 
tions and speeches about it. She very well knows why 
she has refused me, and so do I : a third person need 
know nothing about it. \_Old R. surprised, a 7id starts 
to speak.] And now let me go, father — I must go. 

\_Exit, L. 

Old R. It's precious little I understood about the 
matter after all. I thought the girl loved him, but now 
she refuses him with scarcely a thought. And he — I 
really did not think the lad would lay it so to heart. 
He looked quite confounded, and was off like a madman. 
For my life I cannot account for it, much as I know of 



16 SUPREMACY. 

him. [Siffhs.^ Well, it's all over, I suppose. Yes — 
all over. [ Goes up, l. 

Enter Old Brenner and Rudolph, l. They do not 
see Keimer, ivho observes them, and exits, l. u. 

Old B. To come directly to the point, E-udolph — 
what is the trouble between you and your wife ? 

Rudolph. What is the trouble between us ? 

Old B. Yes. I thought I should surprise a young 
married pair during their honeymoon, on returning from 
town, but instead I find a state of things here of which 
I certainly did not dream. You ride alone ; you drive 
out alone ; neither of you enters the other's apartments. 
In fact you avoid each other, and when you meet you do 
not exchange half a dozen words. What does all this 
mean ? 

Rudolph. You show a wonderful knowledge of de- 
tails, sir. Have you been interrogating our servants ? 

Old B. Rudolph ! 

Rudolph. An aristocratic mode of life is not under- 
stood here, and we are particularly aristocratic in these 
matters. You love aristocracy so much, father. 

Old B. Have done with raillery ! Is it with your 
free consent that your wife ignores you in a way that is 
even now the talk of the whole colony ? 

Rudolph. I allow her all the freedom that I enjo3^ 

Old B. This is too much. Rudolph, you are — 

Rudolph. \_Interrupting.'\ Not like you, papa; with 
the promissory notes of her father in my hand, I cer- 
tainly would have forced no girl's consent. 

Old B. What — what do you mean? 

Rudolph. Baron Rothbart was ruined. The world 
knew it. Who was the cause ? 

Old B. Do / know ? \_Sneeringly.'] His extrav- 
agances — his desire to play the great hereditary gentle- 
man when he was head over ears in debt. He would 
have been lost without my help. 

Rudolph, Really? And did you follow no plan in 
offering this help ? Was not the Baron compelled either 
to give up his daughter, or be driven to extremities ? 
Did he decide upon this union of his own free will ? 



SUPREMACY. 17 

Old B. Naturally ! Who has told you that it was 
otherwise ? 

Rudolph, \_Only slightly more animated than here- 
tofore.'] You knew that I not only did not know or 
care for Crista Rothbart, but also that I was, before 
your persistent urging, opposed to marriage at all. It 
did not please you to tell me what had passed before or 
after my betrothal. The fact that from Crista's lips I 
first heard of the business arrangement you had made, 
ought to explain sufficiently why I decline to expose 
myself to new humiliations. I have no desire to stand 
a second time before my wife, as upon that evening 
when she flung the full weight of her scorn against me 
and my father, and I — had to remain silent. 

Old B. Your silence was — 

Rudolph. No, father, words cannot mend matters. 
The thing is entirely beyond reparation. Therefore let 
it rest. 

Old B. Well, we will talk of this at another time. 
\_Looks at watch.] It wants but a few minutes of the 
time of my appointment to look at the elevator. 

Rudolph. "Look at the elevator." And will you 
not heed what I have said, sufficiently to go into the 
main shaft? 

Old B. No. I will inspect the alterations which 
have been made in the elevator. What could I do in 
the mines? 

Rudolph. You can convince yourself, if things are 
really as bad down there as they say. 

Old B. What do you know about the mines ? Who 
has put this into your head ? Has the director thought 
best to reach my pocket through you ? Do not concern 
yourself. Whatever is absolutely necessary shall be 
done. I have no money for expensive repairs. I really 
do not understand why you should trouble yourself 
about my business affairs. You had best leave to me 
the care and responsibility in matters of which you do 
not know the slightest thing. 

Rudolph. You are right. " JSTot the slightest " — for 
that you certainly have cared. Nevertheless, an exam- 
ination must be made, if for no other reason than to 



18 SUPREMACY. 

satisfy your rebellious men that the matter of repairs 
is not wholly overlooked. If you will only go down 
with the engineer, you can give the shafts a passing 
inspection. 

Old B. I shall be careful not to do that. Do you 
think I want to risk my life ? There is no doubt that 
things are dangerous in their present condition. 

Rudolph. And still you send hundreds of workmen 
down every day. \_Old B. frowns. 

Old B. Would you give me a moral lecture, Rudolph? 
You seem to be over philanthropic. Have done with it. 
In our circumstances it is a very expensive passion. 

Enter quickly, Weber, Old E., officers and men. 
Paul, Carl, etc., etc, 

Weber. Herr Brenner, are you ready ? 

Old B. Is everything arranged ? 

Weber. Everything. 

Old B, Then I will go down. 

Weber. I have here a plan and estimate for further 
strengthening the machinery of the elevator; will you 
look at it before descending? [^Old B. does not wish to. 

Rudolph. \_Aside to Old J5.] Do not refuse him. 

Old B. Yes ; show it to me here. [^Indicating off 
R. u. Weber, Rudolph, Old B. and Officers go off. 
Workmen busy in preparations. 

Enter Max, l. u., who is joined by Carl, as he 

comes down. 

Carl. And do you really intend to keep on, even 
without the force from the other mines. Max ? 

Max. *' Keep on " — by all means. I tell you now 
is the time — now within a day. 

Carl. I do not think you have convinced our men 
of that. 

Max. They are cowards — all of them. They can- 
not stir from their places, by reason of their irresolution 
and timidity. They know, as well as I, that we ought 
to avail ourselves of this very hour ; yet they will not 
go forward, because they are alone — because the others 
will not stand by them. It is a lucky thing that we 



SUPREMACY. 19 

have Brenner against us, and no other. If he were a 
politic man, who at the right time showed us his teeth, 
and at the right time gave us encouragement, we could 
bring nothing to pass. 

Carl. Do you think he will do nothing, then ? 

Max. No : he is cowardly, like all tyrants. He 
swaggers and threatens while he has the upper hand ; 
but if his skin or his gold sacks were in danger, he 
would crawl on his hands and knees. He has made 
himself so thoroughly detested, he has so goaded the 
miners to extremities, that at last not one will remain 
behind. Then, we shall have him in our hands. 

Carl. And the young gentleman ? Do you think he 
will take no part when the riot breaks loose ? 

Max. [ With contempt.'] He counts for nothing. 
At the very first alarm he will run back to the city for 
safety. If we had to do with him it would be soon over. 

Carl. Will Herr Brenner go into the mines, do you 
think ? 

Max. \_Laughs.~\ What are you thinking of? Do 
you suppose he would risk his life? No, indeed. I 
wish I could have him alone there once, eye to eye ; he 
should teach me that trembling we so often endure 
below. [^They go off l. u. followed by others. 

Enter Crista and Baron, with Franz. 

Franz. This is the place, your ladyship. 

Crista. Very well, Franz. Find Herr Brenner, and 
say that the Baron awaits him here. \_Exit Franz, r. u.] 
Was not Count Reynau's death very sudden, papa? 

Baron. Very, my child. He was in perfect health 
not ten days ago, and his contemplated marriage was to 
have taken place within a month. 

Crista. His marriage ? How strange it seems. Is 
it not astounding that this should have occurred, and at 
such a time ? We never could have hoped for the heir- 
ship. 

Baron. Never ! Reynau was young and healthy ; 
he was about to marry. And now ! Oh, Crista, it is 
distracting to think of inheriting this large estate after 
it is too late, and I have sacrificed my child. 



20 SUPREMACY. 

Crista. 0, papa, you need not think of me. I — I 
breathe freely to think you will have so abundant a 
recompense for the humiliations you have suffered. 

Baron. If his death was decreed, why, why could 
it not have happened sooner ? One month ago it would 
have saved us. One quarter of the wealth now flowing 
in upon me would have been enough. That our sacrifice 
should have been made in vain ! This mockery of fate 
I cannot bear! [^Takes her hand — embraces her. 

Crista. You should not speak so, papa. This death, 
which, knowing what Count Reynau was, we can mourn 
only formally, frees you from many burdens. My mar- 
riage averted only the most threatening : there still 
remained enough that pressed heavily upon us, which 
later might have brought j^ou into humiliating depend- 
ence upon that man. This danger is now forever averted. 
You can repay all you have received from him. We 
owe him nothing more. 

Baron. But he owes you to us, and he will guard 
against ever paying the debt. That is why this rescue 
galls me. A short time ago I should have greeted it with 
transport : now it drives me to despair on your account. 

Crista. I am, perhaps, not so unhappy as you and 
my brothers believe. 

Baron. Aren't you ! Do you think your letters 
have deceived me ? I knew beforehand that you would 
spare us the knowledge of your trials ; but if a doubt 
had remained in my mind, your paleness speaks plainly 
enough. I know how much you must have suffered, 
and do still suffer. 

Crista. I fear you may exaggerate. I have no com- 
plaint to make of Rudolph. He has from the first 
maintained a distance, for which I can but thank him. 

Baron. I would not advise him or his father to for- 
get the respect they owe you — to fail in appreciating 
the honor you have brought to their house, where hith- 
erto little has been found. But, Crista, I can at least 
offer you one consolation : you will not long bear the 
name to which attaches so much vulgarity — so much 
villainy against us and others. I have taken care that 
this plebeian title shall not much longer annoy you. 



SUPREMACY. 21 

Crista. [^Surpr{sed.'\ Why, father, what do you 
mean? 

Baron. I have entered upon the necessary steps for 
— your — your — husband's elevation to nobility. Only 
his elevation, not his father's : Brenner, I would not 
recognize even formally, as belonging to our rank. 

Crista. If you wish the title of nobility on my 
account, papa, you err. Still you are right, and in any 
event it is best. The title will amply compensate 
Rudolph for all he must renounce. [^Baron surprised. 

Enter, r. u., Brenner, Rudolph and officer's. 

Old B. My dear Baron, I beg you will pardon our 
unavoidable delay. Believe me, I am glad to see you 
with us again. [ Offers hand to Ba ron, who accepts coolly. 

Rudolph. \_Ad'vancing.~\ Your unexpected visit is 
certainly a pleasure. Baron. \_Sees that officers are 
watching, so offers hand — formal greeting. 

Old B. \_To Crista.'] I am sorry you had the trouble 
of coming out. We should have returned soon. 

Crista. Thank you, Herr Brenner ; but the Baron 
has only a short time to remain, and he wished to see 
your son. • \^Betreats a little. 

Enter at hack, l. u.. Max, Carl, Paul, Craftman 
and miners. Crista recognizes Max. 

Old B. I beg you to excuse me for a few moments. 
Baron, as I must make an examination of the elevator. 
I will see you at the house soon. 
Baron. Certainly. 

Old B. \_To Weber.] Let me go down now, quickly. 

\_Rudolph listless • he watches Crista, as she looks 

at Max. Old Brenner and officers approach the 

shaft. 

Weber. Reimer, are you ready to accompany our 

chief ? 

Max. I attend him, sir. 

\_As he comes forward, he passes near Crista. 
Crista. Are not you the man who rendered us great 
service on the day of our arrival ? 

[^Prepa7'ations 'making at shaft. 



22 supee:macy. 

Max. It was I who had the privilege to stop your 
horses, my lady. 

Crista. Whatever has been said or done regarding 
the matter, I thank you now again, most heartily. 

Max. You are very kind. I am more than repaid 
[glances in direction of Iiudoljph~\ for what was but a 
trifle. 

Crista. Do you not fear so constantly descending 
into the mines ? 

Max. What use would it be to fear it, your ladyship ? 

We 7Jiust live. If my death is to come from such a 

cause, I am perhaps fortunate that it is to be so sudden 

and soon over. [Salutes her respectfully ; looks her in 

the face ; goes up. 

Crista. Papa, do you not see something almost grand 
about that man ? 

Baron. He has a remarkable physique, and more 
dignity than I have ever noticed in a workman. 

Crista. I cannot but admire him, and vet he seems 
like a dangerous man. [More aside to Baron.'] Is he 
not a striking contrast to [indicating Rudolph] his 
superior ? 

Baron. He is, indeed ! [Brenner and Max sink 
into the shaft. Jlen grouped. Officers talking 
together. Rudolph advances. 

Rudolph. [To Baron.] Before we go to the house, 
Baron, may I ask why your visit must be brief ? 

Baron. I left the citv to attend the funeral of a rel- 
ative. Count Eeynau, whose residence is about ten miles 
from here. I must return at once. 

Rudolph. I trust you will accept my sympathy, sir. 
He was not nearlv related ? 

Baron. He was a cousin, and circumstances con- 
nected with his life make it impossible to regret his 
death. Herr Brenner, I bring tidings from the city, 
which for you must be of the highest interest. 
• Rudolph. Indeed, sir ! 

Baron. I may well assume that the wish of your 
father, in regard to an elevation of rank, has been no 
secret to you, and I can assure you that its fulfilment is 
at hand. In one point of view there are certainly 



SUPREMACY. 23 

insuperable obstacles — there are certain prejudices 

against the elder Herr Brenner, personally, which can 

scarce be surmounted ; but the powers that exist are 

quite ready to distinguish one of our first industrial 

proprietors, by conferring a title upon his son. I hope, 

in a short time, to be able to congratulate you. \_Rudolph 

has listened with hut little interest. As the Baron 

stops, R. looks up and at him. Crista intently 

watches Rudolph. 

Rudolph. May I ask. Baron, if in this matter you 
have been governed solely by the wishes of my father, 
or by consideration for your daughter ? 

Baron. \^Einbarrassed.~\ When this union had been 
once decided upon, your father's wish and mine became 
the same, but I did not at that time conceal from Herr 
Brenner my opinion concerning his personal claims to 
that dignity, and I received from him the assurance 
that, if necessity required it, he would renounce the 
honor in favor of his son. 

Rudolph. Then I regret that my father did not 
inform me of the progress of an affair which I regarded 
only as an undeveloped plan ; and I regret still more, 
Herr Baron, that you have used your influence to secure 
for me an honor which I must absolutelv decline. 

Baron. \_Amazed.'] Pardon me, Herr Brenner! I 
might not have heard distinctly. Did you speak of 
declining? 

Rudolph. I did. I decline the title most absolutely. 

Baron, I entreat you, then, to give me the reasons 
for this, to say the least, strange refusal. I have great 
curiosity to know. 

Rudolph. The strangeness lies less in my declining 
than in the manner of the offering. If a title of nobility 
had been decreed to my father, on account of the service 
he has undeniablv rendered to industrv, as his heir I 
should in any event have accepted it. They have not 
thought best to confer it on him, and I have not the 
slightest claim to such an honor ; I therefore deem it 
better not to let society assert that an alliance with the 
Rothbart family must, as a natural consequence, be fol- 
lowed by a diploma of nobility. 



24 SUPKE^IACY. 

Baron. Your views seem to have undergone a change 
since jour marriage. 

Rudolph. \_Smiles sardonically.'] Before my mar- 
riage, Herr Baron, I had not learned how I was regarded 
by your circle. Kecently, and in rather a merciless 
way, all this has been made clear to me ; and you can- 
not be surprised if I decline henceforth and forever to 
be considered an intruder into that circle. 

\_Crista displays emotion, and turns her hack. 
Baron. I have no idea who has thus been exagger- 
ating matters to you, but I must beg you to have some 
regard for Crista. In the role, which you expect to 
play next winter in the city, she cannot — pardon me, 
Herr Brenner — wear your plebeian name. That was 
not intended bv vour father or me. 

Rudolph. Our winter circumstances may not be 
what we now expect. Leave that to Crista and me. 
For the present nothing remains to be said, but that I 
persist in my refusal of a distinction which — pardon 
me — I will not owe to the aristocratic name of my 
wife I 

Baron. Your conduct, Herr Brenner, is — \_Noise 
of accident in the shaft. The elevator has fallen. 
Max has escaped injury. Old Brenner has been 
killed instantly. The officers disappear in assisting. 
Miners rush to entrance of shaft. Max's voice is 
heard — '^ Help.'' General alarm. 
Weber. [Appearing quickly.] Herr Brenner I Herr 
Brenner I Your father I [Disappears. 

Rudolph. What is it ? What has happened ? [_Dis- 
appears after Weber. Baron goes up; he beckons 
Crista to remain at distance. 
Baron. [Coming dow}i.] Crista, I cannot help feel- 
ing that there is an end to hatred and hostility between 
the elder Brenner and us. 

Crista. Do you think it is serious, father ? 
Baron. I think this accident has caused his death ! 

Offi/^ers and men appear with Rudolph, bearing 

body of Brexxee. 

Rudolph. Has a physician been summoned ? 



SUPREMACY. 25 

Weber. Alas ! Herr Rudolph, it is too late. 
Rudolph. Father ! father I He is dead I 

[Kneeling over him. 

Enter Max, from shaft. 

[Crista moves toward Rudolph, and stands by him., 
with head bent doicn. She makes an effoH to 
appear the ^''devoted wife.'^ Max stands aloof, 
excited and defiant. Officers near Rudolph. Miners 
groupjed, and watching all intently. 

CURTAIX. 



ACT III. 

Scene. — A handsome library in the Brenner mansion. 
It is elegantly, but not gaudily, furnished. Large 
door, L. ; smaMer door, r. ; large bay window, c. back. 
Desk up, R. c. Sofa, chairs, etc., etc. Fireplace, R. 

Klassen, Weber, Kellxer and four officers 

discovered. 

Klassen. You are indeed right, Schaffer. Since the 
death of Herr Brenner there has, even in the two weeks 
past, been a noticeable feeling of relief, in spite of the 
garbs of mourning which are not jet thrown off. 

Schaffer. To me it is a problem to understand and 
solve. Herr Rudolph may be weak and inexperienced, 
but it surely cannot be expected that he will close his 
ears to the counsel we are in a position to give him, and 
which will practically place him in the position his 
father maintained. 

Weber. Ah, Herr Schaffer, there you touch upon the 
vital point, for Max Reimer is the very man to take all 
possible advantage of the weakness of our chief; and 
where the head is weak, subordinates are powerless. 

Klassen. And then, Herr Schaffer, we should not be 
so hasty in condemning our new chief. We hardly know 



26 SUPREMACY. 

him jet. What did he saj when you informed him of 
the state of affairs ? 

Schdffer. Nothing. He took the papers I gave him, 
and, thanking me, shut himself up with them. Since 
then I have not seen him. 

Klassen. Well, we shall soon see him in his real 
colors. The demands Reimer has presented require the 
utmost care and judgment; and our engineer has spoken 
truly of this man, for you see he puts forth his ar- 
guments at the very moment when we are weakest. 

Weber. He is a thorn in our flesh. Without him the 
workmen would be reasonable. We cannot blame them 
for demanding security for their lives, and wages that 
will keep them from starvation; but they should have 
stopped with the demands it is possible to grant. What 
they dictate under this man amounts to an open insur- 
rection. 

Kellner. But what will the young chief do ? Will 
he accede to their demands ? 

Weber. That he most certainly cannot do. It would 
subvert all discipline, and in less than a year make him 
a ruined man. 

Schdffer. Yet he has scarce any other alternative. 
We have, of late, had serious losses, and the actual 
existence of the works depends upon an uninterrupted 
continuance of business. Let them lie idle but a short 
time, we cannot fulfil our contracts — and that would 
be ruin. 

Weber. The trying position in which the j^oung 
chief finds himself would, I fear, be more than he could 
bear, if he had a suspicion of the connection Eeimer is 
said to have had with his father's death, 

Schdffer. Do you really believe in the possibility of 
a crime ? 

Weber. The inquest has only established the fact 
that the rope was broken. To be sure, it might have 
become broken of itself; as to this, Reimer alone can 
say. In any other companionship there would have 
been no suspicion, but he is capable of anything. 

Schdffer. But then, think that he too was in danger 
of losing his life. The spring with which he rescued 



SUPREMACY. 27 

himself was a desperate venture, and could not have 
been accomplished by one man in ten. 

Weber. You little know Max E-eimer, if you believe 
he would for one moment hesitate to risk his life in 
undertaking anything which imperilled it Think of 
how he flung himself before the horses. At that time 
the whim seized him to save life ; but if he wishes to 
destroy, it matters little to him whether his own destruc- 
tion is threatened. That is just the dangerous thing about 
this man : he has no regard either for himself or others ; 
in a case of necessity he would sacrifice himself, if — 

Enter Rudolph. He looks pale. In his hand are 
papers and documents. He wears mourning. Formal 
salutation. He goes up to desk. 

Rudolph. I have summoned you, gentlemen, to take 
counsel with you in business matters, which since my 
father's death have fallen into my hands. There is 
much to adjust and change — more, perhaps, than we at 
first supposed. I have, as you know, hitherto stood 
remote from business circles, and shall not at once see 
my way clearly [the officers show some surprise, and 
begin to grow more interested], although in these last 
days I have sought to do so. I depend, therefore, in 
the fullest measure upon your good will and your read- 
iness to sustain me. I shall be obliged to lay much 
claim to both, and beforehand, I assure you of my 
thanks. [Officers acknowledge.] All other matters 
must of course recede before the momentary calamity — 
the danger with which the demands of the miners, and 
cessation of their work in case of refusal, threaten us. 
There can be thought or mention here of but one 
decision. [Schdffer glances at Weber.] Before all 
things we must inform ourselves how the men are 
organized, and who leads them. [A pause. 

Weber. They are led by young Keimer, Herr Bren- 
ner, and there is no doubt that the organization is well 
led and perfect in all resjoects. 

Rudolph. That I also fear ; and it is positively evi- 
dent that there must be a fight, for there can naturally 
be no talk of granting these demands in full. [Sits. 



2S SUPREMACY. 

Weber. Naturally there can be no talk whatever of 
it, Herr Chief. [He looks at Schdffer. 

Rudolph. Before going further has our director any 
general opinion to express ? 

Klassen. Thank you, Herr Brenner. I cannot but 
think we should gain much by a diplomatic course of 
inaction for the present. 

Rudolph. And you, Herr Schaffer ? 

Schdffer. Owing to the present condition of the 
works, and the absolute necessity for continuing our con- 
tracts, it is impossible for me to see how we can do aught 
but submit. In faith, I feel quite certain that ice must. 

Rudolph. [Specially dignified.'] I must request you 
to use more considerate language, Herr Schiiif er. Indeed 
we imist not submit. There are other than moneyed 
considerations — the first of all being that of my position 
among the miners, which would be forever insecure if 
I now yielded to their mercy. Little as I understand 
such things, I see that these demands far outstretch the 
bounds of possibility. And you must all agree with 
me in this. There may be wrongs and inconveniences. 
The workmen are doubtless justified in asking for exam- 
inations and repairs in the mines, and an increase of 
wages. They may also well speak of certain alleviations, 
and of fewer working hours ; but all beyond this is 
arrogant defiance. 

Weber. For which their leader, Keimer, is alone 
responsible. 

Rudolph. As he is the leading spirit in the revolt, 
we had best first listen to him. I have already sent 
him word to meet us here, and to bring some of his 
comrades with him, adding that they should be received 
as ambassadors. Will you summon them, Herr Kellner ? 
\_Exit Kellner. Officers gather r. Weber on k. of 
Rudolph. 

Re-enter Kellner, followed by Max, Carl and 
Craftman. Kellner retreats to l. of Kudolph. 
Max stands l. c, and Carl and Craftman l. u., 
near Max. 

Rudolph. [^Stands.] Steiger Keimer, you laid before 



SUPREMACY. 29 

me yesterday, through our director, the demands of 
the miners upon my works ; and in case they are 
not granted, you threaten a general cessation from 
work. 

3Iax. That is so, Herr Brenner. 

Rudolph. Above all things, I desire to know if 
you really intend that I shall regard your proceedings 
as a declaration of war, for they amount to nothing less. 
Even you must say to yourself that I cannot grant 
such things, and will not. 

Max. Whether you can grant them I do not know, 
Herr Brenner, but I believe you will grant them, for 
we are determined to let the works lie idle until you 
yield to our demands : substitutes you cannot find in 
the whole province. 

Rudolph. [^Firmly.'] It is by no means my intention 
to refuse all your demands. There are among them 
some whose justice I recognize, and to which I will also 
yield. The examination and repairs of the mines shall 
be granted ; the wages will, at least, partially be raised. 
To do this I shall be obliged to make heavy sacrifices, 
more perhaps than from a business point of view are 
justifiable at present ; but it shall be done. But you 
must relinquish the other points, whose sole aim is to 
take the management out of the hands of my officers, 
to relax the discipline, which in an enterprise like this 
is a question of life or death. 

Max. \_So7neivhat amazed. He stares at officers and 
at Rudolph^ I am sorry to tell you that these points 
will not be abandoned. 

Rudolph. I really believe that these minor points 
are the main thing with you, but I repeat, they must be 
abandoned. [Gazes steadily at him.'] In my concessions 
I will go to the utmost limits of possibility; but there 
I shall stand and take no step beyond. What I concede 
shall and must content every one who seeks honorable 
remunerative work. I give my word that everything 
necessary for the safety of the workmen, and for the 
raising of their wages, shall be done ; and now I demand 
from you some confidence in my word. But before we 
go further you must renounce the second part of your 



30 STJPKE3IACY. 

demands. Their fulfilment is impossible, and I enter 
into no agreement on that score. 

Max. [^Enraged.'] But you shall not refuse in this way 

Herr Brenner I There are a thousand of us, and the 

works are just as good as in our hands. The time has 

passed when we allow ourselves to be enslaved and trod 

upon just as it pleases 3^ou. \_Rudolph advances.'] We now 

demand our rights; and if we cannot win them by fair 

means, we will take them by force ! \_Makes a rush for 

Rudolph, as if to grab him by the throat. The 

officers rush toward Rudolph — Weber first. Ru- 

dolph leaves back officers with right hand, and 

gazes steadfastly into Max's face. Max shrinks 

back with a muttered voiv. Carl and Craftman 

amazed at Max. Pause. Tableau. 

Rudolph. [^Coolly.'] Before aU things, Reimer, change 

the tone in which you address your chief! If you would 

be received here as an ambassador, and as such would 

claim a sort of equality, then behave yourself, and do 

not hurl your threats of force and insurrection into one's 

face. You demand obedience from your men ; I demand 

it from you. Play the master among your comrades if 

it so pleases you, but remember that while I stand before 

you / am master of these works, and intend to remain 

sol Rely upon that! — and now inform youx comrades 

what I will and what I will not grant them, and add 

that I will not take back a single word I have said. 

With this we are for the present at an end. 

\_Turns — goes up. 
Max. We are ; and I declare to you in the name of 
all the associated miners upon your works, that from 
to-morrow every man will be idle. 

Rudolph. It is well. For that I am prepared. See 
to it that order is maintained. You cannot intimidate 
me by tumultuous scenes. If 3'ou force it upon us, we 
shall have a long and bitter conflict. Think well before 
you act. 

Max. We shall see who holds out the longest! 
Come ! \_Exit, followed by Carl and Craftman, who 
show timidity. 
Rudolph. There are two already who follow him with 



SUPREMACY. 31 

only half a heart. I hope the majority will come to 
their senses when we have given them time ; for now, 
gentlemen, we must yield to necessity, and let the works 
lie idle. I in no way ignore the danger which threatens 
us here — in the withdrawal of a thousand men, with a 
leader like Reimer at their head — but I am resolved to 
maintain my stand. It naturally depends upon your 
own free will whether you follow me. As you were 
nearly all against my decision, I of course shall not force 
its results upon you, and willingly give leave of absence 
to any of you who may deem a temporary withdrawal 
necessary. 

Schdffer. There is not one of us who would accept, 
Herr Chief ! 

Rudolph. Then I deeply thank you, gentlemen. I 

must leave you now. Herr Schaffer, in an hour I will 

meet you in my cabinet. Herr Kellner will please remain 

here a moment, \_Exit r. door. Officers, except Kellner^ 

exit L., talking. 

Kellner. Heaven, Heaven, what a scene I I tremble 
in all my limbs I I thought that wild man, that Keimer, 
would rush upon him any minute. But that glance! — 
that way of speaking — why he's a regular Henry Eifth, 
right from the pages of Shakespeare — from history 
itself. 

Enter Franz. 

Franz. Excuse me, Herr Kellner, I supposed Herr 
Brenner was here. 

Kellner. He is in the next room, Franz; do you 
wish to see him ? 

Franz. Yes, sir ; I thought he would like to know 
that her ladyship has been gone some time on a ride 
alone. 

Kellner. What! alone? 

Re-enter Rudolph. 

Rudolph. What are you saying, Franz ? 
Franz. That her ladyship has been out nearly an 
hour, sir, unattended. 
Rudolph. Alone? 
Franz. She declined an escort, sir. 



32 SUPKEMACY. 

Rudolph. Indeed ! There is danger in such a ride, 
now. Have my horse brought immediately to the side 
porch. I will take the main road. You and Anton may 
go by the cross road as quickly as possible. 

Franz. E-eimer's niece, Mina, is here, and asks to be 
allowed to see you, sir. 

Rudolph. Send her to this room ; Herr Kellner will 
see her for me. \_Exit Franz, l.] Will you not ? 

Kellner. Certainly, Herr Chief — by all means. 

Rudolph. Thank you. \_Exit quickly^ R. 

Kellner. Her Ladj^ship riding alone ! Strange ! 
But for Mina, I too would seek her. 



Filter Mina 



Mina. Ah, Herr Kellner, I thought Herr Brenner — 

Kellner. Yes, he was obliged to leave, and asked me 
to see you. 

Mina. This handkerchief, you may remember, was 
given to Max by her lad3^ship at the time of the run- 
away. I have secured it, and came to give it back ; if 
not to her ladyship, then to the chief. 

Kellner. I will take care of it for j^ou. 

\_She gives it to him. 

Mina. I was in hopes, too, that I could learn directly 
from Herr Brenner something of what Max has said 
and done. Can you tell me ? Uncle is sorely troubled. 

Kellner. Alas, Max is very aggressive. He and Herr 
Brenner had a stormy scene here just now. 

Mina. Indeed ! so I feared. Are they not likely to 
be reconciled? 

Kellner. Not unless Max finds his senses. 

Mina. Alas, alas ! It seems as though he never 
would. But give her ladyship the handkerchief. I did 
not think it best — that is, I was resolved that Max 
should keep it no longer. 

Kellner. Did he desire to keep it ? 

Mina. Yes. 

Kellner. Yet he hates the Brenners. 

Mina. He hates the husband, but the wife — 

Kellner. [Lackadaisically. ~\ Her ladyship is an 
angel, while Max is — 



supre:macy. 33 

Mina. Not deserving of utter condemnatioiij Ilerr 
Kellner. He is a man of soul, and for much of his 
terrible nature he is not at all responsible. 

Kellner. Your pardon, ]Mina ; and what do you think 
of her ladyship ? 

Mina. She is very beautiful. 

Kellner. Is that all you think of her ? 

Mina. Why do you ask me ? You must certainly 
know that one cannot speak highly — if from the heart 
— of such a wife as Lady Crista is. 

Kellner. I know it, Mina, I know it. 

Mina. Kindly deliver the handkerchief for me. I 
must return. 

Kellner. I am going, and will accompany you. 

\_Exeunt. 

Enter Crista and Budolph, k. 

Rudolph. How very imprudent it was in you to ride 
out alone to-day. You certainly had no suspicion of the 
danger. I started immediately upon hearing of your 
caprice. Franz and Anton have also gone in the direc- 
tion of the works. 

Crista. But I should have shunned the highway if 
you had not joined me. I was already warned. 

Rudolph. Warned ? By whom ? 

Crista. By Reimer himself, whom I met in the forest, 

Rudolph. [_Starts.'\ Eeimer? And did he dare 
approach and speak to you, after all that has happened 
of late ? 

Crista. It was only to warn me, and to offer me his 
company and protection. I declined both ; that I be- 
lieved I owed to you and to your position. 

Rudolph. \_Sarcasticalbj.'] You believed you owed 
it to me ? I am infinitely obliged to you for this defer- 
ence ; it is well you showed it ; for if you had let him 
escort you, much as I wish to avoid giving the first 
occasion for conflict, I should have made him sensible 
that the inciter, the ringleader of this whole rebellion, 
had best keep his distance from my wife. \_Pause'^ 
goes to iuindoiu.~\ I am sorry I was obliged to shorten 
your ride : it is certainly a charming day. 



34 SUPREMACY. 

Crista. \_Seated r. c] I fear a ride in the open 
air was more necessary to you than to me. You look so 
pale, E-udolph. 

Rudolph. I am not accustomed to work. \_lTonically.'] 
It all comes from effeminacy. I cannot, even for a short 
time, perform the labor my officers do daily. 

Crista: On the contrary, it seems to me that you are 
working beyond what is required of any one. AH day 
long you scarcely leave your work, and at night I see 
your light burning until morning. 

Rudolph. For how long a time have you so atten- 
tively scrutinized the windows of my apartment ? 
\_Bitterly .~\ I did not believe they really had any 
existence for you. 

Crista. Since I knew that the danger, which you 
persistently denied, every day grew nearer. Why did 
you conceal from me the magnitude of this conflict, and 
its possible results ? 

Rudolph. Because I did not wish to alarm you. 

Crista. I am not a timid child, whom one must sur- 
round with such anxious care. If any danger threatens 
us — 

Rudolph. [Coming down.'] Us? I beg your pardon ; 
the danger threatens me alone. I have never thought 
to treat you as a child ; but I considered it my duty not 
to enlighten the Baroness Rothbart in regard to matters 
which must be indifferent to her, and which in a short 
time will be as foreign to her as the name she now 
bears. [ Coldly. 

Crista. Do you deny me all information in regard to 
your affairs ? 

Rudolph. Not if you desire any. 

Crista. [_Pause.~\ Have you refused your miners 
their demands ? 

Rudolph. What I could grant, and what the work- 
men of themselves asked, I have granted. With Reimer's 
extreme demands I can do nothing. Their necessary 
consequences, if granted, would be the subversion of all 
discipline. They would end in anarchy ; and they are 
really insulting. He would not have dared make them 
had he not known what I have at stake in this contest. 



SUPREMACY. 35 

Crista. What have you at stake — your fortune? 

Rudolph. And my life ! 

Crista. Yet you will not yield ? 

Rudolph. [Very firmly.'] No! 

Crista. I fear that Reimer will pursue the quarrel to 
extremities : he hates you. 

Rudolph. \_Disdainfidly.'] I know it. The sentiment 
is mutual. 

Crista. You should not underrate this man's hatred, 
Rudolph. He is terrible in his passion, as in his 
energy. 

Rudolph. Do you know him so well ? But a short 
time ago you thought this blouse hero worthy of your 
admiration — a low, worthless energy — that which 
scorns impossibilities, and would rather drag hundreds 
into ruin than listen to a word of reason; but even 
Reimer may find a wall against which his stubborn 
obstinacy will beat in vain. He will force nothing from 
me. I will fight the battle through, even to my own 
overthrow. 

Crista. When we just now met Reimer and his men 
in the road I thought they certainly would not let us 
pass. Their menace showed me the very great danger 
of your position. 

Rudolph. I must bear it. You have seen what blind 
obedience this man knows how to enforce. A word from 
him and they let us ride on unhindered ; not a single 
one dared murmur, and yet they were only waiting a 
signal from him to assail us. 

Crista. \_Musingly.'] But he did not give the 
signal. 

Rudolph. No, not to-day. He best knows what 
restrained him. But he will to-morrow, or a day 
thereafter, if we chance to meet again. I am quite 
certain of that. \Approaches her chair. 

Crista. Do you really believe he would ? \JIer hand 
rests on the arm of the chair • as Rudolph draws 
near her, he puts his hand on hers. 

Rudolph. Does it frighten you. Crista ? Are you 
alarmed ? 

Crista. \_With feeling.'] Rudolph, I— - 



36 SUPREMACY. 

Enter Franz, l., quickly. 

Franz. Herr Baron Rothbart and his son have 

arrived. \JRudolph quickly leaves Crista^ s side; he 

looks annoyed. Crista disappointed at interruption. 

Enter Harold, l., in uniform. 

Harold. My dear sister ! [^Embraces her. 

Crista. Ah, Harold, is it you ? \_Exit Franz, l. 

Harold. '^Shakes hands with Rudolph formally.~\ 
Pardon me if I have intruded Herr Brenner, but I have 
not seen Crista for so long. 

Rudolph. Certainly. You are quite welcome. 

\_Goes toward R. 

Crista. Will you not remain ? 

Rudolph. Pardon me if I beg you to receive your 

father alone. I had forgotten something which I must 

attend to. I will, as soon as possible, pay my respects 

to the Baron. [Exit Rudolph, r. Harold looks angrily 

at him as he exits. Crista intently ivatches him off. 

Harold. \_Turning to C rista.~\ Crista, I am delighted 
to see you again ? 

Crista. \_Forces a smile. Her eyes are on the door 
through which Rudolpjh left.~\ I, too, am delighted to 
see you. Inexpressibly delighted ? Why does not 
father come up ? 

Harold. Here he is. 

Enter Barox, l. 

Bar 071. My dear Crista ! 

Crista. Father ! \_They embrace. 

Baron. How is my noble daughter? \_They sit. 

Crista. I am well, father — very well. 

Harold. You do not seem so. Crista ? [^Sits. 

Crista. I am perfectly well, Harold. 

Baron. When your surroundings are different, I 
shall hope to see more color in your cheeks. Crista. 

Harold. Something of permanent benefit must be 
done for you. 

Crista. Enough of me. Tell me, father, how you 
happened to come so soon. Have you been to the 
Peynau estates ? 



SUPREMACY. 37 

Baron. We are now returning from there, and could 
not resist coming by way of this p]ace, for your sake 
and our own. But tell me, will you not listen to the 
subject which is uppermost in our minds? 

Crista. I know well what you mean. You speak of 
a — separation? \_Looks down. 

Baron. Yes, my child ; a separation, no matter under 
what pretext, or at what price. Those who are forced 
to a thing are wont to hold to it only through compul- 
sion : now that I am master of my affairs, now that I 
need no longer be under obligation, I will venture all to 
release you from those fetters which you assumed only 
for my sake, and which, whether you admit it or not, 
make you infinitely unhappy. 

Harold. It is not a new thought to you, is it, Crista ? 
Father has talked of nothins^ else for some time. It 
must be that you desire it. 

Baron. What did Old Brenner not resort to in order 
to obtain this union with us ? The possibility is not 
imaginable that he would have allowed a divorce which 
would have excluded him from that circle to which he 
had forced an entrance through us. His sudden death 
has charged all ; but the opposition of the son remains 
to be overcome. 

Crista. He will yield. You need have no anxiety 
on that account. 

Harold. So much the better. So much the sooner it 
will be over. 

Baron. It must be your wish, Crista, as well as ours, 
that this painful transaction be conducted and terminated 
as speedily as possible. I think you had better return 
with us to the city, and from there take the necessary 
steps. You can then simply decline returning to your 
husband, and await the decree of divorce. We will take 
care that he does not violently assert his rights. \_Rises. 

Harold. Yes, by Heaven, we will! If he should 
refuse to undo this shameful business, your brother's 
sword will compel him to it. He cannot threaten us 
with disgrace and public humiliation, as his father did. 

Crista. Recall your threats, Harold, and you, father, 
banish your anxieties. Both are unnecessary. This 



38 SUPREMACY. 

divorce, which von think must be a matter of strife and 
compulsion, has long been a settled thing between Ru- 
dolph and me. \_Baron and Harold start uj^ '^'^ amaze- 
ment and listen intently.'] We had agreed upon this 
even before Herr Brenner's death ; but we wished to 
shun the publicity of so sudden a rupture, and therefore 
decided to preserve the outward restraints of a married 
life. [_Her voice trembles. 

Harold. Even before Brenner's death ! \_Rises. 

Baron. And you yourself had spoken of the matter? 
You were decided upon it ? 

Crista. \_Struggles to gain full possession of herself] 
rises.] I have never introduced the subject. It was 
Rudolph who, of his own free will, offered me the sep- 
aration. 

Baron. What ! It was he himself? Is it possible ? 

Harold. Well, it is aU the same, sister dear, so long 

as he gives you back to us. In the enjoyment of the 

new inheritance, you have everywhere in it all been 

wanting to us. \_Emhraces Crista ; she buries her face 

on his shoulder. 

Baron. What is the matter. Crista ? 

Crista. Forgive me, papa, if I seem strange to-day. 
I am not quite well. At least, not well enough for a 
conversation on this subject. You must permit me to 
withdraw. I — 

Baron. You have suffered too much of late, I can 
easily see. Go, and leave all to me. I will spare you 
as much as possible. 

[_Exit Crista, handed to door by Baron. 

Harold. This is very singular, father. Do you 
comprehend this Brenner ? I am sure I do not. 

Baron. \_Pacing to and fro.] I will speak with him, 
and if he really is of our mind, which, notwithstanding 
Crista's assertion, I must still doubt, the business shall 
be entered upon immediately. 

Harold. Immediately ? Why they have not been 
two months married, and I think they are right in 
trying to avoid too early and abrupt a separation. 

Baron. Certainly they are, my son, and I should 
agree with you, were it not that I have been told the 



SUPREMACY. 39 

trouble now threatening on Brenner's premises is very 
dangerous for his business and his fortune, and jou can 
easily see that in the event of a collapse, his wife could 
not leave him then — in the face of the world she could 
not. It is better for us to assume the responsibility of 
too early a rupture than to have our hands tied when 
the dreaded catastrophe really comes. Crista must 
return to our house, must be free before there is a 
suspicion in the city of how matters stand here. 

Harold. It is strange that Crista enters into the 
matter with so little heart. She is cold and silent, as if 
this lay remote from her — as if it dealt with almost 
anvthing but her own freedom. 

Baron. She suffers at the thought of the unavoidable 
publicity, and the anticipation of annoyances which can- 
not be spared her. It is a painful step for her, but it 
must be taken. We shall certainly have the sympathy 
of all our friends. The reason of the marriage could 
have been no secret, and all will readily comprehend 
why we seek to dissolve it. 

Harold. When Brenner comes, father, shall I not 
leave you alone with him ? 

Baron. No, Harold, you will remain. You are the — 

Enter Eudolph, r. 

I trust you are well, Herr Brenner. 

[^Salutes at distance. 

Rudolph. Thank you, quite so. I am glad you could 
favor us with a visit — and you especially, Herr Harold; 
are you not fatigued after your journey ? \_Forinally. 

Harold. Xot at all, thank you. We experienced a 
very comfortable jaunt. 

Rudolph. I trust you will excuse me for not joining 
you sooner. Business matters have required a great 
deal of mv attention at all hours. I presume Crista's 
presence has fully compensated you. Indeed, I thought 
she was still with you. 

Baron. Crista has withdrawn on account of a slight 
indisposition, and with your permission I will employ 
the opportunity of her absence to express a wish, the 
fulfilment of which depends principally upon yourself. 



40 SUPREMACY. 

Rudolph, \_31otions the Baron to seat. Harold goes 
to windoiv a.t bach, and stands facing off 'r.'\ You have 
only to state your wish, Baron, if the granting of it 
depends upon me. 

Baron. There must be greater significance placed 
upon the rebellion at your works, I think, than it really 
deserves. Yesterday, as I stopped at the town to call on 
the commander of the garrison there, who is an old 
friend, I was told that the outbreak of your workmen 
into open insurrection, requiring military interference, 
was very probable. 

Rudolph. People in the town seem to be more occu- 
pied with my works and my workmen than I had sup- 
posed. At all events, I have not called on the colonel 
for assistance. 

Baron. For myself, I naturally have no opinion in 
the matter ; I would only seek to remind you that it will 
not be proper to expose Crista to possible outbreaks. I 
very much desire to take my daughter home with me 
for a time, until matters have become settled. 

Rudolph. \_Suppresses his emotion.'] Crista is entire 
mistress of her own actions. If she thinks the removal 
necessary, I give her perfect freedom. 

Baron. Then she will accompany us to-morrow. As 
to the duration of her visit there, we come to a point 
painful for us both to discuss ; but I prefer to treat with 
you by word of mouth, especially, as I know that in the 
main our wishes coincide. 

Rudolph. Very well, Baron. I presume that Crista 
has already communicated with you. 

Baron. She has. 

Rudolpjh. I supposed that the matter would remain 
a secret between us until the time for action came. I 
see I have erred. 

Baron. Why defer the carrying out of a conclusion 
once fixed upon ? This is a favorable time. The present 
condition of your estates gives us the best and plainest 
excuse for my daughter's removal. The world need not, 
at first, know that this removal is to be a permanent 
one. \Rause. 



SUPREMACY. 41 

Rudolph. \_Pause.~\ Does the wish for this haste 
come from Crista herself ? 

Baron. I speak in my daughter's name. 

Rudolph. \_Sta7'ts iqj — goes to firep)lace.'] I consent 
to all, Baron — to all. I thought I had stated to your 
daughter my reasons for delay. They were, for the 
most part, dictated hy regard for her. If, regardless of 
these, she still wishes matters accelerated — let it be so. 

\_Harold turns and looks front. 

Baron. You also unconditionally agree to the sep- 
aration ? 

Rudolph. I do. 

Baron. I am very grateful to you, Herr Brenner. 
\_Rises.'] Ahem ! There is one thing which still re- 
mains. Your — father — had the goodness to assume 
certain obligations for me, which at that time I could 
not fulfil. I am now in a position to do this, and I 
would like to — 

Rudolph. \Loohs at him.'\ Had we nob better let 
this matter rest ? For my part, I implore it. 

Baron. It might rest so long as our mutual relations 
remained as now — not when they were dissolved. You 
will not oblige me to remain your debtor. 

Rudolph. This cannot be called a debt in the usual 
sense. My father, at the last, only enforced his own 
demands, and the documents were destroyed as soon as 
\excitedly~\ the price for them was paid I 

Baron. At that time the agreement was closed at 
Herr Brenner's expressed wish — now it is to be dis- 
solved mostly at our wish. Circumstances are changed. 

Rudolph. Is it absolutely necessary that in this 
divorce business we hold fast to the conditions of a bill 
of sale ? I hope that for the second time my wife and 
I shall not be made the objects of a business transaction. 

Baron. Be pleased to remember, Herr Brenner, that 
the term " business " has relation to only one of the two 
parties ; it does not apply to us. 

Rudolph. I am now fully aware. Baron, how this 
marriage was brought about, and I know how those obli- 
gations arose which forced you to consent. This being 
the case, you can well appreciate my demand that the 



42 SUPREMACY. 

debt shall not be alluded to — not even by another syl- 
lable. I demand from you, Herr Baron, that you do 
not force a son to blush at the remembrance of his 
father ! 

Baron. I did not know that you looked upon the 
subject in this light. \_Turns to go.'] Before I retire, 
allow me to say that I had no intention of wounding 
you, but — 

Rudolph. That I assume. \_Rings for servant.'] And 
now grant me the favor of forgetfulness in regard to it 
all. As to this divorce, I will instruct my lawyer to 
meet every step of yours. If anything is required of 
me personally, I beg you to command me. 

Enter Fkanz. Rudolph beckons him to attend the 
Baron and Harold. 

I will do everything in my power toward gaining the 
desired end speedily and considerately. 
Baron. I thank you. 

Harold. I also thank you, Herr Brenner — good night. 
Budolioh. Good night. \Exit Baron, Harold and 
Franz. Rudolph walks to window ; pushes shut- 
ters together; walks hack to fireplace; rings for 
servant. 

Re-enter Franz. 

Rudolph. Close the room, Franz — leave the light 
on my desk. \_Rudolph leaning over fireplace. Franz 
secures ivindoius, and p)uts out gas. 
Franz. Anthing further, Herr Brenner ? 
Rudolph. Give orders to have a carriage in readiness 
for the morning train. Her ladyship is to leave for a 
visit to the city with her father, brother and maid. That 
will do — I do not wish to be disturbed again. \_FraMz 
bows and exits. Rudolph ivalks to and fro ; stops 
at mantle and takes down picture of Crista; looks 
at it; heaves a sigh and replaces it, walks to 
window and gazes out. 

Enter Franz, cautiously. 

Rudolph. \_Turns quickly.] What is it? Have I 
not given orders ? 



SUPRE^IACY. 43 

Franz. I — I — beg your pardon, Herr Brenner, I 
know that you do not wish to be disturbed ; but — as — 
her ladyship herself — 

Rudolph. Who ? 

Franz. My lady herself is here, and wishes — 

Enter Crista. Exit Franz. 

Rudolph. \_Hands her in.'] Do you have yourself 
announced ? What superfluous etiquette ! 

Crista. I heard that you would see no one, and 
Franz told me the order was for all, without exception. 

Rudolph. I am sorry that you could not voluntarily 
consider yourself an exception. 

Crista. I wished to speak with you. 

Rudolph. I am quite at your command. Will you 
not be seated ? [_Hands her to seat. 

Crista. Thank you. I will not detain j^ou long. 
\_She hesitates and seems embarrassed.] My father has 
just told me of his conversation with you, and of its 
result. 

Rudolph. I expected this ; and it was on this very 
account that — I beg your pardon. Crista — that I was 
at first surprised to see you here. I believed you 
busy in preparations for departure. 

Crista. You have already announced my departure 
to the servants ? 

Rudolph. Yes : I supposed I anticipated your wishes. 
In any event, I thought it better to have the announce- 
ment made by me. You of course know the pretext we 
employ. If you designed conducting the affair in any 
other manner, I regret not having known your inten- 
tion. 

Crista,. I have nothing to suggest to you. It only 
surprised me that the time of my departure, once firmly 
agreed upon, should be hastened. You certainly had 
the same reasons for holding fast to that decision as at 
first. 

Rudolph. I? It was your wish, your demand, to 
which I consented. At least, Baron Rothbart told me 
this was so. 

Crista. I suspected this. My father has gone too 



44 SUPREMACY. 

far, Kudolph. He has spoken in my name when he 
only expressed his own wishes. I have come to explain 
this misunderstanding, and to tell you that I will not 
go — at least not until I hear from your lips that you 
demand it. 

Rudolph. You will not go ? And why not ? 

Crista. You j'-ourself told me that in the struggle 
before you your life was at stake. Since your last meet- 
ing with E-eimer I have known that the battle must 
be fought to the bitter end, and that your position is far 
more dangerous than you will admit to me. I cannot 
and will not leave you at such a moment : it would be 
cowardice and — 

Rudolph. You are very magnanimous ; but in order 
to practise magnanimity, you must find some one who 
will accept it, for I will not accept yours. 

Crista. [Excitedly.'] You will not? 

Rudolph. No. The plan emanated from your father : 
let it stand ! He has doubtless a right to provide for 
the protection and security of his daughter, who will 
belong to him, from the barbarities and excesses which 
may soon happen here. I give him full power, and 
agree to to-morrow's separation. 

Crista. And I consent, only so long as I consider it 
your wish. I will not yield, in this matter, to the dic- 
tation of my father. I have taken upon myself the 
obligations of your wife, at least before the world; and 
before the world I will carry them out. They command 
me not to desert you in the hour of danger, but to remain 
at your side until the catastrophe is past, and the time 
of our separation originally agreed upon has arrived. 
Then I will go, but not before. 

Rudolph. Not even if I imperatively demand it of 
you? 

Crista. Rudolph ! 

Rudolph. I have told you to play no magnanimous 
role with me. They cannot move me. Duties! A 
wife, who of her own free will gives a man her hand and 
heart may well deem it her duty to remain by her hus- 
band in danger, to share his misfortune, perhaps his 
ruin. This certainly is not your case. We have no 



SUPREMACY. 45 

duties to each other, because we have had no right in 
each other. The only solace I could offer you in this 
enforced marriage was the possibility of its dissolution : 
it has been dissolved since that moment when we 
agreed to a divorce. That is my answer to your 
proposition. 

Crista. You should not make remaining so difficult 
for me. You must know, Eudolph, the struggle it cost 
me to come to you in this way. Will you not consider 
it? 

Rudoljoh. I do not doubt that the Baroness Rothbart 
makes an incalculable sacrifice in deciding for a few 
months longer to bear my plebeian name, and to remain 
by the side of a man she so thoroughly despises, even 
though he offers her immediate freedom. I was once 
compelled to hear how terrible both were to her, and 
can therefore estimate what this self-sacrifice costs. 

Cinsta. You taunt me with the conversation upon 
the evening of our arrival here. I — I had forgotten 
that. 

Rudolph. Had you really ? You do not ask whether 
I have forgotten it. I was obliged at that time to listen 
to your words ; but they went to the utmost limit of 
what I could iDcar. Do you imagine that a man would 
with impunity allow a woman to tread him in the dust 
as I was trodden that evening, and then permit her to 
lift him up again, if it happened to please her to change 
her mind? I am not quite the miserable weakling you 
thought me. From that hour I ceased to be so. That 
hour decided my character; but it also decided our 
future. I have learned a great deal of late : I shall 
Q,2iXYy through this contest — but \_standing'\ the woman 
who, on our marriage day, with such annihilating scorn, 
thrust me from her, not even asking if the husband to 
whom she had just given her hand was really as guilty 
as she believed him ; who took my assertion, made upon 
my word of honor, that I had known nothing of my 
father's share in that marriage transaction as the sub- 
terfuge of a liar • who in reply to my question whether 
she did not deem it worth her while to attempt the ref- 
ormation of such a reprobate as I, flung forth a disdain- 



46 SUPREMACY. 

ful "No^^ — this woman I will not have at my side when 
I fight the battle for my future — I will be aloDe ! 

l^Takes stage : goes to windoiu at hack ; pause. 

Crista. \_Suppressed emotion.~\ You will stand alone ! 
Well — then — I will not obtrude myself upon you. I 
came to convince myself whether my father's plan was 
yours also. I see that it so — and I will leave you. 
[ Goes toward l. door. As she does so Rudolph is drawn 
toioard her, bringing him near chair, r. She pauses at 
door, and turns slowhj.'] We shall meet to-morrow only 
in my father's presence ; and then, perhaps, never again. 
So — farewell ! 

Rudolph. Farewell! \_Exit Crista, i,.'] My God! 

\_Sinks into chair. 

Curtain. 



ACT IV. 



Scene. — The interior of the engineer's headquarters 
at the mouth of the mines. Office furniture, mining 
instruments, etc., etc.; door r. c. in flat, large ivindow 
L. c, table L. c, high desk l. ; stools, chairs, etc; 
maps and plans hung on ivalls. Signal bells l. of 
window. Screen, r. of door. 

E-UDOLPH and Weber discovered. 

Weber. I am certainly the last man, Herr Brenner, 
who would advise outside assistance, but I think you 
have done enough to restrain the revolt. You cannot 
be blamed for resorting to a measure which, in previous 
cases, has been taken much earlier and with no such 
urgent necessity as ours. 

Rudolph. Previous cases can be no rule for us. A 
few imprisonments and a few shots would count for 
nothing here, where Eeimer stands at the head. He 
would not quail before a bayonet charge, and with him 
ajsp stand or fall his entire band. If we should resort 



SUPREMACY. 47 

to military force, peace for us could only come over the 
bodies of the slain. If I allow even a shot to be fired, 
then I am the tyrant who allows murder in cold blood — 
the oppressor who takes delight in destruction. The 
old overseer once said to me — and they were no idle 
words — " If rebellion once breaks out among us, then 
■ God help us ! " 

Weber. But if peace is not to be obtained otherwise? 

Rudolph. Peace cannot be secured by force. For 
the moment I might subdue the insurrection, only to 
have it the next j^ear, perhaps the next month, break 
forth anew; and you know as well as I that this will 
take from me the last possibilitj'' of holding the works. 
The distrust so many years sown among the miners 
cannot easily be uprooted, especially as no reconciliation 
with Reimer is to be hoped for. This I know, as I have 
sought it myself in vain. 

Weber. You have sought it yourself ? 

Rudolph. Yes, in an accidental meeting with Reimer 
yesterday, I once again offered him my hand. 

Weber. Is it possible ? And yet, in truth, you know 
nothing ! 

Enter Crista. She goes behind screen. 

Rudolph. \_Surprised.'\ Why, what do you mean ? 
You may be assured, sir, that I know how to fully main- 
tain my dignity even on such an occasion as that. 

Weber. I beg your pardon, Herr Brenner — my ex- 
pression was not intended as a criticism on our chief : 
it referred only to the son, who certainly has no suspicion 
of the reports connected with his father's death. 

Rudolph. Why — you speak of my father's death 
and refer to Reimer ; is there any connection between 
the two ? 

Weber. I fear so. Indeed, we all fear it. Common 
suspicion attaches to Reimer, and not alone with us — 
his comrades also entertain the idea. 

Rudolph. [_Excitedly.'] At that time in the mines ? 
A treacherous attack on a defenceless man ? I cannot 
believe that of Reimer ! 

Weber, He hated your father, and he never denied 



48 SUPREMACY. 

his hatred. Whether the rope really broke through 
mere accident, and he employed the moment of danger 
to rescue himself, and hurl his chief back into the abyss, 
or whether the whole was a deliberate plan — this ques- 
tion truly is shrouded in mj^stery : but he is not inno- 
cent ; for that I would vouch. 

Rudolph. The inquest decided that it was an accident. 

Weber. The inquest decided nothing. They assumed 
it to be an accident, and let it pass as such. No one 
ventured a public accusation. Every proof was wanting ; 
and pursuing the matter would hardly have done any 
good. We knew, Herr Brenner, that as things then 
were you could not avoid a conflict with this rival, and 
we would at least spare you the bitterness of knowing 
with whom you fought. That was the cause of our silence. 

Rudolph. I did not suspect that — not that! And 
even if it is only a suspicion, you are right : I should 
not offer the man my hand. 

Weber. And this man has, at the head of his com- 
rades, brought all this misfortune upon you and us. He 
has incessantly fermented and prolonged the quarrel; 
and now, when his power is declining, he seeks to make 
the rupture incurable and reconciliation impossible. 
Would you spare him now, if you could ? 

Rudolph. Spare him ? No ! And I can no longer 
spare the others either; they drive me to extremities. 
This very morning two hundred men wished to resume 
work; and they certainly have a right to demand pro- 
tection for their work. The mines must be ma,de secure 
at any price : I cannot accomplish this alone, and — 

Weber. We await joux commands, Herr Brenner. 

Rudolph, I will write at once to General Berger. It 
must be so ! \^Sits to ivrite. 

Weber. \_Aside.~\ At last ! It is, indeed, high time. 

Rudolph. Go, please, and take care that all the offi- 
cers remain at the posts which I assigned them. They 
must not move until I come myself. This morning it 
would have been useless to interfere in the tumult. 
Perhaps it is now possible. In half an hour I will be 
with you. Meantime, if Reimer and his band make any 
move whatever, send me word at once. 



SUPREMACY. 49 

Weber. I know what this decision costs you, Herr 
Brenner, and you may feel assured that none of us take 
the matter lightl}^; but we need not always fear the 
worst, perhaps it will all pass over without bloodshed. 

\_Exit quicldy, not ohserving Crista. 

Rudolph. \_Pauses in ivrlting ; folds letter, and puts 
it in his pocket ; rises; takes stage; stojjs — thought- 
fully.'] And so! a new trial — murder? — murder? — 
can it — be — 

Crista comes out. 

Crista. Rudolph ! 

Rudolph. Crista I Crista I you here ? Pray how was 
it possible — for what — 

Crista. I came only a few moments ago. I certainly* 
had to win my way by force ; do not now ask me how ; 
it is enough that I won it. Rudolph, T wanted to come 
to you before danger reached you. 

Rudolph. What does this mean. Crista? I wish for 
no sacrifices from duty and magnanimity. I told you 
that when you went away, three days ago. 

Crista. Yes, I know it. With these words you have 
once already thrust me from you. You could not forgive 
me for having once done you wrong, and in revenge for 
that you had almost sacrificed yourself and me. Rudolph, 
who was the more revengeful — the harder — of us two? 

Rudolph, It was not revenge — I gave you freedom: 
you had yourself wished it. 

Crista. If I now tell my husband that I will not 
have this freedom without him, that I have come back 
to share all with him, whatever may happen, that I — 
have learned to love him — will he then for the second 
time bid me go ? 

Rudolpjh. {^Embraces her quietly — fervently.'] My 
wife ! 

Crista. Rudolph ! 

Rudolph, You come like an angel from Heaven, 
Crista. \_Takes her to seat.] Tell me, why did you come 
in here instead of going to the house. 

Crista. I had much trouble getting through the 
grounds, and was obliged to accept the assistance of our 



50 SUPREMACY. 

fiercest enemy. I paused here in the hope of finding an 
escort for the rest of the walk. Matters seem to be in 
a startling condition — tell me all, Rudolph. 

Rudolph. E-eimer and his followers are likely at any 
moment to break forth. I am obliged to visit the works 
continually in person. Indeed, I must go now for a few 
moments; — yet I cannot leave you here alone. 

Crista, ^o, Rudolph, I shall not keep you from your 
duty, though my heart trembles at your exposing your- 
self. You will hasten back ? 

Rudolph. Indeed I will, darling, and take you to 
your home — our home. [^Kisses her.] Good-bye. 

Crista. Good-bye. \_Exit Rudolph. Goes to table ; 
sits thoughtfully — happily."] Crista Brenner ! Crista 
Brenner ! Now do you regret breaking away from what 
was your home, to come to what is your home ! How I 
shudder to think of the almost narrow escape ! What a 
blessing it was that father did not suspect my departure. 
He would have forced me to sign that terrible plea for a 
separation, which would have been m.j death knell. 
Dear father ! He shall soon learn his mistake, or else 
lose his daughter forever. \_Goes to ivindoia.] How- 
careless it was in me to let Rudolph go out, perhaps to 
come face to face with the mob. I cannot remain here. 
I must seek him. \_Starts to go.'] IS'o, no, foolish girl 
that I am. It cannot be that he will come to harm. 

\_Looks out window. 

Enter Max quickly. Crista startled. 

Crista. Who's there ? Reimer ! 

Max. Your pardon, my lady. I little expected to 
find you here — I seek Herr Brenner. 

Crista. I did not suppose that after all that has hap- 
pened you would seek to enter any apartment of your 
chief. You must know that he can no longer receive 
you. 

Max. It is for that very reason I seek to speak a 
few words with him. I expected to find him alone. It 
was not you I sought, your ladyship. 

[^Adva7ices toward her. 

Crista. [Retreats.'] Ah ! 



SUPREMACY. 51 

Max. [^Laughs."] Can an hour have made such a 
change? But now you demanded my protection, and 
leaned upon my arm as I conducted you through the 
tumult : and now you flee from me, as though your life 
was in danger. 

Crista. Leave me ! My husband is not here ! You 
see that he is not ; and even if he were to come now, I 
should not leave you alone with him. 

Max. Why not ? Why not ? 

Crista. Because your nearness has already proved 
fatal to a Brenner. 

Max. \_Startled.'\ Ah, that was it. I might have 
known that this would find its way to you. 

Crista. Keimer, can you pronounce the reports false, 
which since that unhappy hour have been connected 
with your name ? 

Max. And even if I did, would you believe me? 
[^Pause ; more earnestly.'] Would you believe me ? 

Crista. I hold you capable of crime when your pas- 
sionate nature is aroused, but not of falsehood. 

Max. As it is you, my lady, who asks, I will answer. 

Crista. It is declared to my husband that it was 
more than a mere accident which caused the rope to 
break on that unlucky day. Was it so ? 

Max. It was an accident, or rather it was something 
better, if you will force me to say it — it was retribution. 
Our chief had caused a change to be made in the ele- 
vator, which, like all he did was for necessity, not for 
security. What mattered it if a few hundreds of miners, 
who must every day go up and down this elevator, were 
every day exposed to danger. Double and treble what 
it was able to bear was demanded of the machine, and 
it at last had its revenge, but not upon the workman — 
it was upon the chief himself. It was not a human 
hand, my lady, which made the rope break just at that 
moment when it must bear his weight ; and it was mine 
least of all. I saw the danger coming : we were already 
at the last platform ; I made a spring upward, and — 

Crista. Pushed him back ? 

Max. No ! I only let him fall. I could have rescued 
him if I had wished. A half minute was time enough 



52 SUPREMACY. 

for that. In truth, it might have cost my own life ; he 
might have pulled me down with him if I had come to 
his help; for ever}" one of mj comrades, for any one of 
the officers, I would have gladly taken the risk ; but for 
that man / would not. At that moment all he had done 
to us shot through my brain. I thought that the fate, 
to which every clay he had exposed us, was only coming 
to him ; and I would not interfere with the just retri- 
bution of Heaven. In spite of his outcries I did not 
lift my hand, and a minute after it was too late. The 
elevator fell, taking him to his death. 

Crista. Have you told me the whole truth, Reimer ? 
Upon your honor ? 

Max. Upon my honor, your ladyship ! 

Crista. And why did ^^ou not solve this mystery by 
speaking to others as 3'ou have to me ? 

2Iax. Because no one would have believed me — not 
a single one, not even my father. 

Crista. You should have forced thera to believe you, 
E-eimer, and they would have done so if you had only 
seriously demanded it; but your pride and obstinacy would 
not suffer this. You met the suspicion with disdain, 
and thereby strengthened it. Now you are suspected 
throughout the works by the officers, b}" my husband — 

Max. What do I care for Herr Brenner ? what for 
all the rest ? Whether they condemn me or not, it is 
all the same to me. But I could not bear, my lady, to 
have you turn from me in fear and detestation ; from you 
alone I could not bear it; and you believe me now: I 
see it in your eyes. I am perfectly indifferent to the rest. 

Crista. I believe you, and I will see that my husband 
exculpates you from the worst suspicion at least. We 
must not judge you for failing to save life where you 
might have done so ; for that you are answerable to your 
own conscience. But Herr Brenner shall no longer 
believe that the murderer of his father stands opposed 
to him. You have certainly gone too far now for recon- 
ciliation. For the first time, within this hour, I have 
learned all that has happened — all that perhaps will 
happen if the attack upon the mines is renewed. [_Lai/s 
her hand thoughtlessly, imjAorinyly on his arm.~\ 



SUPREMACY. 53 

Reimer, we stand upon the brink of a fearfnl catas- 
trophe. You have forced my husband to protect him- 
self and his from danger, and he has concluded so to do. 
Within a few hours, perhaps, blood will flow, must 
flow; reflect upon whom the responsibility will fall. 

Max. Upon me, do you think? Have a care, my 
lady ! It might also fall upon you, if it harmed the one 
you love. Herr Brenner certainly will not remain in 
doors if there is fighting outside; that I know, and I 
also know whom I shall first seek when the conflict 
breaks out. \_Crista retreats. 

Crista. Reimer, yon speak with the wife of your 
chief ! If you hate him — 

Max. \Passionately.~\ The chief? It matters not 
with whom I at the head of my comrades have to deal. 
It is Rudolph Brenner I hate, because you are his wife, 
because you love him, and I — I love you, Crista, more 
than all else in the wide world ! Do not be so horrified 
at this ; you must have known it long ago ; I could not 
help it from the first moment I saw you. I have tried by 
force to crush and annihilate this love, but I could not. 
I cannot to-day, even though I again feel more than 
ever the old truth that only equal must unite with equal, 
and for such as I there can remain nothing but an aris- 
tocratic shrug of the shoulder, even though we have 
perilled life itself for her we love. But if a life is 
again in peril I am not the one so senselessly to expose 
my own as I did under the hoofs of your horses ; for 
that, another life than mine must be risked. I have 
already hated a Brenner to the death ; I then believed I 
could hate no man on earth so bitterly : now I know 
better. I have not yet been guilty of murder ; but there 
is one I could murder — one onl}'! I did not kill the 
father; but if I should ever be thus alone with the son, 
then it would be he or I, or both ! [He starts toivards 
her, and tries to get her hand. She struggles away 
from, him, and 

Rudolph enters. 

He rushes up to them, pushes Reinier back violently, 
and clasps Crista -with his left arm, producing 
pistol in his right hand, which he points at Max. 



54 SUPREMACY. 

Rudolph. Back, Reimer! Do not again attempt to 
approach ! One more step toward mj- wife — a single 
one — and you lie upon the floor ! 

Max. Pve no weapon. Were I armed, then we should 
stand equal against equal. You have better prepared 
yourself than I. I have only my fist to place against 
your pistol, and there is no doubt which would do the 
quickest work. \_Grouchi7ig. 

Rudolph. It is your doing, Reimer, that we must 
now always have loaded weapons in our hands. I will 
at least protect my wife against you, even if it costs 
your life. [Reimer starts forward a little.^ Back, I 
tell you once again ! 

Max. I have never yet placed much value on my 
life, but I will not allow myself to be shot down under 
a roof of yours. I have still to reckon with you. Do 
not tremble so, my lady. [ Goes toward door.] You are 
in his arms, and he is safe ; noio he is safe, but we are 
not yet at an end. And even if you both stood there 
linked together for all eternity, still some time m}^ hour 
would come ; and then, then you would think of me ! 

[^xit. 

Rudolph. Do not tremble. Crista; it is over. 

Crista. Would that it all were over. You came at 
the right time, Rudolph. 

Rudolph. What did he wish here ? 

Crista. I do not know. He sought you, but evidently 
with no good intention. 

Rudolph. What induced him to attack you in that 
manner ? 

Crista. He was in a state of frenzy. Some other 
time I will explain what he said. On some accounts 
we should pity him, Rudolph. Oh, I am so thankful 
you were here to meet his attack. 

Rudolph. I fear it was only a prelude to the real 
drama, which seems to be very close at hand. Do you 
fear it. Crista ? 

Crista. I fear nothing more at your side. But, 
Rudolph, do not again go out alone in the midst of the 
uproar as you did just now. He is there, and he has 
sworn your death. 



SUPREMACY. 55 

Rudolph. [^Looks into her face.']. Life and death 
are not in E-eimer's hands, my darling — over them is 
another who must decide. Be calm, Crista ! I will but 
do my duty ; but I shall do it otherwise than in all these 
days before, for I now know that my wife is anxious 
about me. That I shall not easily forget. 

Enter Kellner hastily. 

Kellner. Herr Brenner, I have come — my lady ! — 
I beg pardon. I have something very urgent to tell you, 
Herr Chief. 

Rudolph. Speak out, Kellner. I keep nothing from 
my wife. Speak quickly. \_Cheers are heard in the 
distance — very indistinctly. 

Kellner. Those cries, Herr Brenner, are in praise of 
Max Keimer, who has almost this moment taken his 
place among the miners, and ordered an approach to 
this building we are in ! I hastened before the officers ; 
they are here. 

Enter Weber, Klassen a7id other officers. 

Rudolph. \_Goolly.'] Well, Herr Weber? 

Weber. K-eimer's rage is at its height. He and his 
men are approaching. [Cries heard nearer.] Some 
immediate action must be taken. The troops are not 
yet due. [^Cries nearer, 

Rudolph. I will face them alone. 

Officers. Alone ! 

Crista. No, Kudolph, no — you shall not ! 

Rudolph. [Aside to her.] The time has come for 
courage, Crista. God grant you plenty. Stay my noble 
girl. I shall be safe. [Cries heard.] Your calmness 
will be an invaluable aid. My wife ! [Caresses her.] 
Not one man shall go from this room until I give a 
signal. [Goes to door.] Herr Weber, see that no one 
stirs from here. [Exit, going off l. by window. 

Kellner. My soul ! what a man ! 

[Crista and others looking eagerly out of window. 

Klassen. Heaven help him. We must not — I can- 
not stay here. 

Weber, We should be doing wrong to go — it would 
spoil all ! We must stay. 



56 SUPREMACY. 

Crista. See! See! He confronts them ! They seem 

subdued almost with his first word. Brave, brave man ! 

Hark ! what does he say ? Oh, that I could hear him ! 

Weber. [Stai'ts.'j Great Heaven ! words are no longer 

of avail, they are turning on him. Come ! [^JExit quickly, 

followed by all exce])t Crista. The officers just get 

in front of the window when 

THE EXPLOSION 

occurs. Two or three glaring flashes of light from 
L., accompanied by a. terrific sound like hollow 
thunder, folloiued by a long rumbling noise. The 
officers are at first struck duinb and motiojiless ; 
then they rush off, not observing C^^ista, who reels 
and faints at the first shock, but does not shriek. 
Ci'ies outside of, " To the main shaft ! " " To the 
main shaft ! " " Stand back ! " Other cries, and 
then ''^ Reimer ! ^^ ^^ Reimer ! ^^ A pause; then 

Enter E-udolph quickly ; his coat is soiled, and he 
ivears no hat ; he sees Crista lying on the floor ; is 
startled ; says nothing at first, but rushes up to her, 
and raises her head to his breast. 

Rudolph. \Softly — quietly — distressed^ Crista ! 

Crista. \_Quietly ; opens her eyes, and looks into his 
face with an expression of relief^ Safe ! 

Rudolph. Safe and unharmed. 

Crista. [He helps her to a seat. 'I What was that 
terrible shock, Rudolph ? 

Rudolph Terrible indeed, my darling. The changes 
of years seem to have been wrought into a moment. I 
had almost given up all hope, and saw the men furiously 
rushing toward me, when suddenl}^, and by a Mighty 
Hand, came that shock. All were as still as death ; then 
it dawned upon a hundred minds at once that an explo- 
sion had occurred in the mines. 

• Enter Weber, Kellner, Mina, Old Reimer 

and miners. 

Weber. Thank heaven, the mine was empty. 
Rudolph. My God, no, it was not. I had forgotten 



SUPREMACY. 57 

the miners who went down to resume work this morn- 
ing. [ To Weher.] Can the cage be lowered ? 

Weber. No ; the chain is broken in the shaft. If 
some man dared go down and mend the break — 

Enter Klassen. 

Rudolph. I win. \Goes toivard door.'] 

Crista. No ! no ! 

Klassen. That is being done. 

Weber. By whom ? 

Klassen. Max E/cimer. 

Enter minei's, supporting Reimer. 

Klassen. The broken chain ? 

Reimer. \_Gasps.~\ It is mended. [Slips from the 
ininers^ hands and falls. The others gather round. 
Mi?ia. [^Bending over and caressing him.^ Max ! 
Max ! He is dying. 

Crista. [^Aj^proaches Reimer — stoops over him.] 
Reimer, are you much wounded ? 

Max. [With much effort.] Why do you ask after 
me ? You have him again. Why should I want to 
live ? I have already said to you, " he or I." I then 
thought 'twould be different — but — it — cannot — be 

changed 1 am sat-is-fied! [Falls back dead. 

Crista rises, and Joins Rudolph. J/ma and Old R. 
bendiyig over Max. Miners and officers grouped. 
Crista and Rudolph looking down at Max. 

Curtain. 



THE END. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 994 045o0 



